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Gilchrist parted company with Woking

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Cards To Be Dealt Another Defeat

Saturday, April 11 2009

Altrincham v Kidderminster

Prices correct at time of writing (12pm, Wednesday, April 8).

Home 23/10 Draw 12/5 Away evens

Altrincham showed a lot of battling qualities on Tuesday when they came from 2-0 down to draw with Eastbourne. That was certainly an improvement on the defeat to already-relegated Lewes last weekend which was hard to take. I think the Robins may claim another point here as Kidderminster away from home are more vulnerable than at fortress Aggborough, so I'm going to back the draw.

Verdict: Draw

Burton v Histon

Home11/10 Draw 23/10 Away 11/5

Burton still have an eight-point cushion at the top of the table but are currently wobbling after back-to-back defeats against Crawley and Torquay. They face another play-off contender this weekend as Histon visit the Pirelli Stadium and I believe the Stutes could be the value bet. Burton will probably take the draw right now as other sides at the top are also dropping points. The Brewers themselves will still be very nervous and that convinces me Burton may well be worth taking on in this game. The draw is the logical selection but I'm going to take a chance by backing Histon.

Verdict: Away win

Cambridge v Eastbourne

Home 4/7 Draw 13/5 Away 9/2

Cambridge have suffered consecutive defeats at just the wrong time of the season when they had a chance to close the gap on the leaders Burton. A home defeat to Forest Green was followed by a 2-1 loss to 10-man Stevenage. However, I think they will get back on track against mid-table Eastbourne. I really don't see any other result here but longer term they will have to settle for the play-offs as those defeats have cost them any chance of automatic promotion.

Verdict: Home win

Forest Green v Woking

Home 5/6 Draw 5/2 Away 14/5

Woking parted company with a third manager in 12 months last week when Phil Gilchrist was sacked and the Cards now have a real fight on their hands to beat the drop. They begin the weekend in the bottom four and I don't think they will bring anything back from their trip to Forest Green. Jim Harvey's men have turned things around ever since they came from 2-0 down to beat Altrincham 5-2 and they are now seven points clear of the relegation zone. The loss of top scorer Stuart Fleetwood last term badly affected Rovers but they are beginning to turn things around. Woking, on the other hand, look doomed after their defeat to Northwich.

Verdict: Home win

Grays v Salisbury

Home 11/10 Draw 12/5 Away 21/10

Last week's victory over York was a massive three points for Grays which allowed them to leapfrog the Minstermen and move out of the relegation zone. Can they now do it again at home against Salisbury? Despite that win the Blues haven't really impressed me this season and I think another nervy afternoon for everyone at the club could well end in a draw. Salisbury aren't good enough to take all three points but I believe they will take something from the match.

Verdict: Draw

Lewes v Weymouth

Home n/a Draw n/a Away n/a

It's often the case when a side is relegated they suddenly start winning, and that's what Lewes did last weekend. They secured only their fifth win of the campaign, beating Altrincham 2-0 and they could take another three points against crisis club Weymouth. If the Terras want to avoid joining Lewes in the Blue Square South then they have to win this game. That's why I'm going to go for them to claim an unlikely victory which will put the pressure on their relegation rivals.

Verdict: Away win

Mansfield v Barrow

Home 4/5 Draw 12/5 Away 3/1

Mansfield have been very inconsistent this season but I fancy them to win this game even though Barrow have done well in recent weeks. The Bluebirds are not safe just yet but Field Mill won't be an easy place to get a result. The Stags have been very disappointing this term but home advantage will be the difference in this fixture.

Verdict: Home win

Oxford v Wrexham

Home 5/6 Draw 5/2 Away 14/5

Oxford are still regretting a five-point deduction earlier in the season as that's the number of points they are behind Kidderminster in the final play-off spot. I expected both the U's and Wrexham to be challenging for the title this season and it looks as though they will fall short of a top-five finish. Oxford still have an outside chance but are drinking in the last chance saloon. It's a must-win game for Chris Wilder's men and I'm backing them to take the three points against a Wrexham side whose play-off chances have faded in recent weeks. These two could be the teams to watch next season.

Verdict: Home win

Rushden v Kettering

Home 13/10 Draw 23/10 Away 9/5

There's plenty of local pride at stake in this fixture and I believe it could end with honours even. That won't be good enough for Kettering as they need a win to keep alive their feint play-off hopes. Rushden might be mid-table but will be looking to put one over the Poppies in this derby clash. However, I'll be backing the draw.

Verdict: Draw

Stevenage v Ebbsfleet

Home 4/7 Draw 13/5 Away 9/2

It's been a mixed week for Stevenage after defeat against Kidderminster was followed by a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cambridge having played for a long time with only 10 men. Ebbsfleet have endured a hectic schedule over the last couple of weeks and they still have three games in hand on some sides. Fatigue is beginning to creep into their play and I think Boro will take advantage. The Fleet are going to struggle in this fixture so I'm going to be backing Stevenage all the way.

Verdict: Home win

Torquay v Crawley

Home 4/6 Draw 5/2 Away 15/4

Second-placed Torquay will still believe they have an outside chance of pipping Burton to the title after Monday's impressive win over the Brewers. Any more slip-ups from the league leaders and the Gulls could be ready to swoop. They face a Crawley side fresh from their 4-0 humbling of Burton last weekend. The Red Devils need a win to keep their play-off hopes alive but I think Torquay will be too strong for them. Paul Buckle's side are all-but guaranteed a top-five finish but Burton's wobble has given them fresh impetus to try and seal automatic promotion.

Verdict: Home win

York v Northwich

Home 8/13 Draw 13/5 Away 4/1

Having dropped into the bottom four last week, I honestly think this game is the biggest in the history of York City Football Club. A defeat and they will be staring relegation in the face but a win could see them back on course to stay up. They do have a Wembley Final to look forward to in the FA Trophy but they must remain in the Blue Square Premier. Northwich are all-but relegated and not even Houdini could escape from the position the Vics find themselves in. Their fate could well be sealed on Saturday but all eyes will be on York to see if they can claim a vital three points. I'm expecting Martin Foyle's men to build on their encouraging 0-0 draw with Oxford.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Cambridge 4/7

Forest Green 5/6

York 8/13

Banker Bet

Forest Green 5/6